A kinara is a candle holder used during the celebration of Kwanzaa, a week-long festival honoring African heritage and culture. It typically holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. Each color represents different principles and values important to the Kwanzaa celebration. The kinara is placed on a table along with other symbols of Kwanzaa, such as the mkeka (mat) and bendera (flag). The lighting of the candles occurs each night, with one candle lit per day, symbolizing unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.